I hate it when my friends are hurting. I can sit with them, pray for them, and bring them chicken enchiladas. But I often feel powerless. I can be with them, but I can’t do anything about their pain.
As we’re walking through the hymn “How Firm a Foundation,” we find biblical promises from God described in verses 3 and 4. These promises demonstrate God’s presence with us in our suffering. But His presence isn’t passive— it is an active presence that truly makes a difference. Here are verses 3 and 4:
“When through the deep waters I call you to go, the rivers of sorrow shall not overflow; for I will be with you, your troubles to bless, and sanctify to you your deepest distress.
When through fiery trials your pathway shall lie, my grace, all sufficient, shall be your supply; the flame shall not hurt you; I only design your dross to consume and your gold to refine.”
Only our God has the power to take our deepest hurts and turn them into blessings. Only our God can take the evil in this world and use it for His good purposes. Only our God can work in our darkest hours to transform us so that we shine more brightly for Him. Consider what these verses say about how God works in our suffering . . .
“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.” (Romans 5:3-4)
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. ” (James 1:2-3)
If you’re walking through a flood or a fire today, know this promise is true: God made you, redeemed you, and called you by name. You are His. Fear not, because He is with you. (Isaiah 43:1-2)
No matter what you face this week, God is with you in your suffering.
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